Florida sophomore running back Jadan Baugh was named to the Paul Hornung Award preseason watch list Thursday afternoon. The award recognizes the most versatile player in college football and is named after Paul Hornung, who won the Heisman Trophy and All-American honors while playing quarterback, running back and kicker for Notre Dame from 1954-56.
Baugh played in 13 games for Florida during his freshman campaign and earned Freshman All-SEC honors while leading the team with 673 rushing yards and eight touchdowns.
The Atlanta, Georgia, native averaged 5.1 yards per carry and had one of the most memorable performances of the year when the Gators faced Kentucky on Oct. 19.
Baugh found the end zone five times, tying former Florida utility player Trey Burton and quarterback Tim Tebow for the most rushing touchdowns in a single game in program history.
His performance also marked the most touchdowns scored by a Florida player in their first career start, and it was the first time a true freshman quarterback (DJ Lagway) and running back started in the same game.
Before fall training camp began, Gators strength and conditioning coach Tyler Miles harped on the strides Baugh made throughout the offseason.
“Jadan Baugh had an incredible summer,” Miles said. “He broke the team records, not only for his position but … pound for pound the strongest guy we’ve ever had.”
Baugh will lead Florida’s backfield ahead of senior Ja’Kobi Jackson, redshirt sophomore Treyaun Webb, redshirt freshman KD Daniels and freshman signees Duke Clark and Byron Louis.
Contact Luke Adragna at ladragna@alligator.org. Follow him on X @lukeadrag.
Luke Adragna is working his fifth semester at The Alligator and returns as the Summer 2025 assistant sports editor. In his free time, he enjoys hanging out with his cat Pete and researching niche professional athletes (shoutout Jacquizz Rodgers).
